Thai Police Bust Multi-Million Baht Sex Toy Smuggling Ring

[Lite Beer]

PM lashes out at EU fisheries panel over 'red card' idea
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha lashed out Friday at a proposal from a European parliamentary committee to "red card" Thailand for illegal fishing practices, saying his government had taken better action than many other countries.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....-red-card-idea/

[Lite Beer]

Temple fights against plan to demolish pavillions

BANGKOK: -- Posters have been put up at Wat Kalayanamit to protest against the Fine Arts Department’s attempt to demolish two newly-built pavilions allegedly located on off-limit archaeological site.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ish-pavillions/

[Lite Beer]

US content with Thailand’s indictment of human trade suspects

BANGKOK, 24 July 2015 (NNT) – The United States is supportive of Thailand’s decision to indict a group of individuals alleged of involvement in human trafficking while encouraging the Kingdom to push on with its fight against the problem.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....trade-suspects/

[Lite Beer]

COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT
Bidding for Krabi plant and EHIA to go ahead
The Nation

KRABI: -- But talks planned with opponents, energy reformists; concern over power shortages

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843145-bidding-for-krabi-plant-and-ehia-to-go-ahead/

[Lite Beer]

CABINET SHAKE-UP
PM admits Cabinet reshuffle on his mind
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha admitted yesterday that he was considering reshuffling his Cabinet so that his government policies would be better delivered.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843147-pm-admits-cabinet-reshuffle-on-his-mind/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

HUMAN TRAFFICKING
US lauds govt for indicting traffickers
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The US yesterday welcomed reports that Thai authorities have indicted 72 suspects accused of involvement in human trafficking.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843118-us-content-with-thailands-indictment-of-human-trade-suspects/#entry9658803

[Lite Beer]

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
Police study Chuwong's beneficiaries
SUPACHAI PHETTEWEE,
NOPPADON SRITAWEEKART,
JESSADA JANTARAK
THE NATION J

Uracha Wachirakun-thon and her mum.

BANGKOK: -- SECOND WOMAN WHO GOT MILLIONS IN SHARES MEETS POLICE, SAYS THEY HAD A 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP' BUT WERE NOT LOVERS

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843148-police-study-chuwongs-beneficiaries/

[Lite Beer]

Money, commuting time and poor social skills taking a heavy toll on Thai families
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MANY THAI families no longer have time for each other nor do they have warm relationships, due to financial struggle and overly long journey time to and from work.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843149-money-commuting-time-and-poor-social-skills-taking-a-heavy-toll-on-thai-families/

[Lite Beer]

DSI cracks down on gang trapping Thai women in KL sex trade
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is taking action against two Malaysians and their Thai wives for luring many Thai women into Malaysia's flesh trade.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843150-dsi-cracks-down-on-gang-trapping-thai-women-in-kl-sex-trade/

[Lite Beer]

General among 72 indicted over human trafficking

BANGKOK: -- THE government said yesterday it would indict 72 people, including a senior Army officer, over human trafficking after the plight of desperate Myanmar and Bangladeshi migrants stranded at sea triggered an international outcry over the grim trade.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843152-general-among-72-indicted-over-human-trafficking/

[Lite Beer]

I was offered $2m for stolen data: Justo


Xavier Andre Justo

BANGKOK: -- Swiss at centre of 1MDB scandal claims 'buyers' wanted to bring down Malaysian govt; daily suspended over articles

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843153-i-was-offered-2m-for-stolen-data-justo/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Two Pheu Thai politicians get a year in jail for libel
THE NATION

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit is escorted into the Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday. The Supreme Court sentenced him and former Pheu Thai MP Kiartudom Menasawat to a year in prison for libelling former Constitutional Court president Wasant So

BANGKOK: -- PHEU THAI Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit and another party politician were sentenced to a year in jail yesterday for libelling former Constitution Court president Wasant Soypisut.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843003-pheu-thai-ex-spokesman-prompong-another-mp-to-serve-one-year-jail-term/page-2#entry9658859

[Lite Beer]

Revision of broadcast-telecom regulator bill urged
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MEDIA SCHOLARS, consumer-rights groups and broadcasting associations yesterday jointly called for a revision of the new draft bill governing the national broadcasting and telecommunications agency, in order to maintain the independence of the broadcasting regulator and press freedom - and to support the industry's growth.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843154-revision-of-broadcast-telecom-regulator-bill-urged/

[Lite Beer]

Calls for media law to allow more participation
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- REPRESENTATIVES of media organisations met with some members of the National Reform Council yesterday in an attempt to ensure that the new press reform law would be more participatory, and truly improve media professionalism.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843155-calls-for-media-law-to-allow-more-participation/

[Lite Beer]

Baht unlikely to slide below 35/$
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ECONOMISTS believe the country's status as net creditor and the current account surplus will strengthen the baht after it had hit a six-year low to the US dollar on Thursday, however the global price of gold is expected to continue to drop due to the strengthening of the US dollar.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843156-baht-unlikely-to-slide-below-35/

[Lite Beer]

Buddhist Lent day declared National No Drinking Day

BANGKOK: -- The government has declared this year’s Buddhist Lent day which falls on July 31 as the “National No Drinking Day”.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843157-buddhist-lent-day-declared-national-no-drinking-day/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Police forensic chief says death of billionaire construction tycoon is likely accidental

BANGKOK: -- The death of billionaire construction tycoon Chuwong Sae Tang is likely turning “accidental” after the police forensic chief indicated he might die from accident.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843148-police-study-chuwongs-beneficiaries/#entry9658903

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Courtroom at Koh Tao Backpacker Murder Trial Hears of More Thai Police Blunders

Charlie Campbell

Police investigating the murder of a pair of British backpackers on an idyllic Thai beach have revealed that they didn’t check key CCTV cameras — the latest troubling admission in a case deemed an acid test for Thailand’s justice system.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838898-koh-tao-trial-opens-for-2-accused-of-killing-british-tourists/page-192#entry9658900

[Lite Beer]

Fatal stabbing over Facebook comments in East Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Late on Thursday Night a 17 year old boy was arrested and charged with the murder of his best friend following a fight over Facebook comments which the suspect was angry with and decided to stab his friend in the chest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843158-fatal-stabbing-over-facebook-comments-in-east-pattaya/

[Lite Beer]

50,000 Baht in cash stolen from Food Vendor in North Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A couple who operate a mobile food stall claim to have been cheated out of 50,000 Baht by a man who promised them a large food order which never existed in the first place.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843159-50000-baht-in-cash-stolen-from-food-vendor-in-north-pattaya/

[Lite Beer]

Misunderstanding blamed for abandoned friends at North Pattaya Petrol Station

PATTAYA: -- The reason behind a group of friends being abandoned at a North Pattaya Petrol Station was finally revealed on Thursday Night as the driver of the car that left Pattaya without his passengers, gave himself up to Police.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843160-misunderstanding-blamed-for-abandoned-friends-at-north-pattaya-petrol-station/

[Lite Beer]

WWE cuts ties with Hulk Hogan amid report that he used slurs

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has severed ties with Hulk Hogan amid a report that one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling history used racial slurs in a conversation caught on a sex tape.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843162-wwe-cuts-ties-with-hulk-hogan-amid-report-that-he-used-slurs/

[Lite Beer]

Obama returns to Kenya, reunites with father's family
JULIE PACE, AP White House Correspondent

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Fulfilling the hopes of millions of Kenyans, Barack Obama returned to his father's homeland Friday for the first time as U.S. president, a long sought visit by a country that considers him a local son.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843165-obama-returns-to-kenya-reunites-with-fathers-family/

[Lite Beer]

6 UK men convicted in child sex ring case involving 2 girls

LONDON (AP) — Six men in Britain aged 29 to 45 have been found guilty of multiple crimes involving a child sex ring that preyed on two schoolgirls for years.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843168-6-uk-men-convicted-in-child-sex-ring-case-involving-2-girls/

[Lite Beer]

Families of Germanwings victims honour unidentified remains

LE VERNET, France (AP) — The families of those killed in the Germanwings plane crash released white balloons into the air Friday, holding a ceremony in the French Alpine village exactly four months after the plane's co-pilot crashed the Airbus 320 into a nearby mountain.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843170-families-of-germanwings-victims-honor-unidentified-remains/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand booze ban: Govt uses special power to stop youth drinking, racing

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's interim premier used special powers under the junta-installed constitution to tackle illegal street racing and alcohol sales near schools and universities.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843169-thai-govt-uses-special-power-to-stop-youth-drinking-racing/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

More than 100 suspects face Thai human trafficking charges

THANYARAT DOKSONE, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's state prosecutors recommended charges against more than 100 people, including a Thai army general, in a multinational human trafficking scandal that came to light after dozens of bodies were discovered in the country's south earlier this year, a spokesman said Friday.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843152-general-among-72-indicted-over-human-trafficking/?p=9658980

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar ethnic peace talks recess without peace agreement

AYE AYE WIN, Associated Press

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A three-day round of talks between the government and leaders of ethnic rebel groups concluded Friday without a sought-after ceasefire draft agreement to end decades of fighting.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843163-myanmar-ethnic-peace-talks-recess-without-peace-agreement/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Caution Urged as Myanmar Poised to Embrace More Mining

Ron Corben

BANGKOK— New mining laws in Myanmar are expected to come into place after November’s national elections, enticing more foreign investment, but rights groups fear local communities could be imperiled without more solid legal protections.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843166-caution-urged-as-myanmar-poised-to-embrace-more-mining/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodian Senate OKs restrictions on non-government groups

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Senate on Friday approved tight restrictions on non-governmental organizations, rejecting appeals from rights groups that say the law could be used for political repression.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843164-cambodian-senate-oks-restrictions-on-non-government-groups/